Step up and take the lead on flu pandemic
December 1, 2009 3 minutes read
Step up and take the lead on flu pandemic
You're needed to interpret guidelines
However this flu season plays out in your workplace, occupational health will be in the "hot seat" when it comes to keeping both employees and senior leaders up to date on H1N1. At least, that is how it should be.
"This flu is so prevalent in the news, everybody repeats what they hear and thinks they're the expert," says Tamara Y. Blow, RN, MSA, COHN-S/CM, CBM, FAAOHN, a Richmond, VA-based manager of occupational health services. "No matter what guidelines come out, you still have to apply them to your workplace. And that is what our profession does. The company needs us to interpret what these medical experts are saying."
One problem is that others do not have the respect they should for the occupational health nursing profession. "Remember that they may be very intelligent people who can repeat what they hear on the news. But you are the one who is trained in occupational health nursing and in environmental health and safety."
Here are ways to assert your authority as an expert during a flu pandemic:
Utilize your relationships with senior leaders.
If you get the impression that other individuals and groups are trying to take the lead on H1N1 preparation, Blow recommends enlisting the help of higher-ups. These individuals may be able to advise various groups that they are free to do their own preparation within their departments, but that occupational health will be taking the lead.
Don't be shut out of meetings on the subject.
Individuals may ask for materials you developed and share them as though these were their own work. If this happens, Blow advises telling that person that you will be glad to share the plan but will attend the meeting with them - not as a spectator, but to answer any questions that may arise." Explain that you want to be sure the information is communicated appropriately," says Blow. "If you've done the work and you know your stuff, you need to be the one communicating."
Quell hysteria.
"All the media attention is driving people into hysterics," says Blow. "You've got to quash those urban legends as they come up."
Get your own staff out front and center.
Blow sends her occupational health nurses to the production workforce's team meetings for the purpose of educating the employees regarding H1N1 and seasonal influenza. "We go in and drive that information home, one-on-one," she says. "We want our faces out there, so we deploy nurses to communicate pertinent information regarding the flu on all shifts."
Get used to demanding credit for what you do.
Don't take a back seat to others who are used to marketing themselves-they may do so at your expense. "Articulate your value and get in the forefront," Blow says.
Remind others of their limitations.
If a non-medical person is trying to promote him or herself as the "go to" person during a pandemic, try reminding them that in fact, they aren't qualified to do so. First, patients may be reluctant to share medical information with that person due to patient privacy regulations. Secondly, they lack medical expertise, which can be dangerous.
Occupational health professionals, says Blow, are the ones who are "uniquely positioned to do that kind of followup. If the employee has any further questions, we can delve further. Sometimes flu symptoms are very vague and can mimic other diseases. The employee may be critically ill with something else."
In addition, there are legal ramifications for non-medical professionals giving medical advice without training. "Individuals who give medical advice without a medical license are functioning outside their scope of practice, and are on a slippery slope when doing so," says Blow.
However this flu season plays out in your workplace, occupational health will be in the "hot seat" when it comes to keeping both employees and senior leaders up to date on H1N1. At least, that is how it should be.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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